As I write this snow is accumulating on our front yard and according to the Weather Channel, the wind chills are hovering around 20 degrees. However, I am undeterred. I refuse to let Mother Nature’s identity crisis put a damper on my countdown to summer (never mind spring).
If you have school age children then you may have already seen the return of the red X’s on your home calendar (my 11-year-old cousin starts drawing them the day after spring break ends as he counts down to summer vacation). Yes, it’s that time of year again… when parents (and kids) begin to plan for the glory days of summer. For my cousin this week marked the start of his summer camp brochure-sifting project.
If you thought summer camp was just about campfires and canoeing—think again. These days choosing the right summer camp is a process. With thousands of camps to pick from it’s a challenge to narrow it down to just one—at least that’s what my cousin maintains (he is already begging his parents to allow him to attend “at least three.”)
My daughter is barely out of diapers and I am already overwhelmed by the prospect of her having to choose between sports camp or art camp, space camp or cash camp (even “American Idol” camp). What’s more, I feel for the parents who have three or four kids with different interests. They face the task of not only trying to help their children decide which camp will provide the most enjoyment, but they also must figure out a way to pay for the camps without having to take a second mortgage. (Most overnight camps are not cheap. It’s important to make sure you get the most bang for your buck by checking if the camping fee includes things like meals, field trips and supplies.)
My cousin plans to attend a camp in his home state of Wisconsin. The Badger State alone boasts more than 2000 camps, and while my cousin searches for the one with the best activity list his parents are focusing on another “a” factor—accreditation.
Summer camps submit themselves to the accreditation process voluntarily. According to the American Camp Association, it’s a way to check over 300 standards, including health, safety, risk management, and staffing. However, keep in mind, just because a camp isn’t accredited doesn’t mean it’s a bad choice. Rather, it means you need to do a little extra homework. For example, if your child decides he or she wants to attend a non-accredited camp it’s a good idea for you to inquire about the camp’s mission and about their staff (e.g. what kind of training is provided and whether the camp runs background checks on all of its hires).
Another tip: don’t wait too long before making a decision. My aunt and uncle (who have 4 children headed to summer camp) will tell you that it takes time to budget and plan for this kind of adventure and it’s best to do it sooner than later. What’s more, many of the nation’s most popular camps opened registration in the fall, and already have waiting lists.
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